The notion of power is tied up with that of agency and control. In our human quest for certainty, power imbalances can be mindfully or unconsciously skewed in particular directions; albeit with (assumedly) good intentions.

The flow of power in education has traditionally been weighted in the favour of adults and those with leadership titles. Revisiting the notion we introduced earlier of student agency, it is important to note that all students intrinsically have agency – just watch them in the playground. The challenge is around the level to which it is empowered by the structures put in place. At the root of empowerment is power, which works to shape the experiences of every individual within systems and organisations such as schools; so it is an incredibly important factor to deliberately and carefully consider in any situation, and certainly one that can be balanced effectively in a hybrid world.